Can You Use Private Health Insurance and NHS Care Together?

Yes. Having private health insurance does not mean you stop using the NHS. You can use NHS services for some care and claim privately for other eligible treatment, subject to your policy and the local rules for the part of the UK where you receive care.

The important point is to be clear about which care is NHS-funded and which care is private. In England, Department of Health and Social Care guidance says NHS organisations should not withdraw NHS care simply because a patient chooses to buy additional private care. It also says additional private care must be delivered separately from NHS care. That guidance applies to England; it is not a complete guide to arrangements in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What private health insurance does alongside the NHS

Private medical insurance (PMI) is usually designed for eligible, planned diagnosis and treatment under the terms of your policy. It does not replace your NHS access, and it is not a substitute for emergency care.

You might, for example, continue to use NHS services for one health need and contact your insurer about a separate new symptom. Or you may choose private treatment for an eligible issue while continuing to use NHS services for other care. The insurer still needs to confirm that the condition, provider and proposed treatment are covered.

For a broader overview, see what private health insurance covers.

If you are considering private care for an NHS-treated condition

Before paying privately or asking your insurer to cover treatment connected to an existing NHS care pathway:

1. Tell the NHS team involved. Ask how the proposed private appointment or treatment could affect your current care plan and who will coordinate follow-up.
2. Contact your insurer before booking. Ask whether the policy covers the condition and proposed treatment, whether a referral is needed, and which private providers are eligible.
3. Ask how the care will be separated. In England, the published guidance requires additional private care to be delivered separately from NHS care. Ask the NHS provider and private provider how appointments, records and responsibilities will be handled.
4. Get the arrangement in writing. Keep the insurer’s authorisation and any instructions from the NHS or private provider.
5. Do not assume the insurer will pay for NHS treatment. A policy normally sets out what it covers in the private pathway; check the wording if you plan to use a mix of services.

Using the same clinician or building does not, by itself, tell you whether a particular appointment is NHS or private. Confirm the status of the appointment with the provider before it takes place.

Emergencies and ongoing care

Private health insurance is generally intended for planned care, not emergencies. If you need urgent emergency help, use the appropriate NHS emergency service. A policy may also exclude routine management of a long-term chronic condition, so continuing NHS care can remain important even when you use private treatment for another eligible issue.

What if you live outside England?

The government guidance linked below is explicitly marked Applies to England. Health services are organised separately across the UK, so check with your local NHS service or care provider about the arrangements that apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Your insurer can explain its own policy terms, but it cannot determine how an NHS service will manage your care.

Frequently asked questions

Does having private medical insurance affect my NHS care?

In England, the published guidance says NHS organisations should not withdraw NHS care simply because a patient chooses to buy additional private care. The guidance is England-specific; check local arrangements elsewhere in the UK.

Can I use my health insurance while I am waiting for an NHS appointment?

Possibly, if the issue and treatment are eligible under your policy. Contact the insurer before booking and tell the NHS team involved so they can explain how the private care may fit with your care plan.

Can the NHS and my insurer split the bill for one episode of care?

Do not assume that a single appointment or treatment can be divided between NHS and private funding. The England guidance says additional private care must be provided separately from NHS care. Ask the NHS provider, private provider and insurer how the proposed arrangement would work before proceeding.

Sources checked 7 October 2026

• GOV.UK: NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care — Department of Health and Social Care guidance, published 23 March 2009 and marked as applying to England.
• The guidance document (PDF)

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